HIM: ITV Orders New UK Horror Series

by Cindy McLennan, November 24, 2015

UK network ITV has commissioned HIM, a three-part horror drama program from screenwriter Paula Milne. The series is about a teenaged boy, referred to only as “Him,” who struggles with hereditary psychic powers. When the boy gets emotional, his powers spiral out of control.

Laura Mackie and Sally Haynes will executive produce HIM, with Chrissy Skinns producing. Andy De Emmony is set to direct. Filming will begin in January, 2016.

Here’s the press release:

ITV commissions three-part drama HIM written by acclaimed writer Paula Milne and produced by Mainstreet Pictures

“Maybe it’s true what they say – the only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”

HIM is a three-part ‘domestic horror’ drama commissioned by ITV from the producers of Unforgotten, Mainstreet Pictures, and written by the multi award-winning screenwriter Paula Milne.

The story focuses on a 17-year-old boy, (known only in the drama as HIM) who is caught in the limbo between childhood and adulthood. But he’s also trapped in a limbo between the two homes of his divorced parents, each now remarried with new families. He is the cuckoo in both their nests, a reminder of the failure of their past and a threat to their new found domestic bliss. Like any teenager, he is riding a rollercoaster of confusing emotions. Like most boys he finds it hard to process his feelings so tends to “act out”.

But his behaviour is also triggered by something else. He is engaged in a primal struggle to contain the terrifying secret of a supernatural power he inherited from his grandfather. A power that only his ageing grandmother understands, who urges him to use his gift only for ‘good’ for she knows if he doesn’t it could end in tragedy.

When his 17-year-old stepsister Faith moves into the family home, HIM finds himself irrevocably drawn to her. They both know their mutual attraction could rupture the family. The turmoil this causes in HIM escalates out of control and with it his supernatural power – and those closest to him are in his line of fire.

This striking and original drama focuses on life’s major themes: the painful breakdown of relationships, love, loss, betrayal and passion. At the heart of the story is HIM’s rite of passage from boyhood to manhood as he struggles not to lose his humanity and control his supernatural power.

HIM has been commissioned by ITV’s Director of Drama Steve November and Controller of Drama Victoria Fea.

“Him tells the gripping story of a boy capable of psychic phenomena,” said Steve. “It’s extraordinary and unlike any drama we’ve commissioned before. We’re incredibly excited about working with writer Paula Milne and commissioning HIM from Mainstreet Pictures following the success of their series Unforgotten,” added Steve.

The drama will be executive produced by Laura Mackie and Sally Haynes who departed ITV in 2013 to establish production company Mainstreet Pictures. Him will be produced by Chrissy Skinns (The Last Kingdom, Mr Selfridge, Marchlands) and directed by Andy De Emmony (Lucky Man, Recovery, God On Trial and Bletchley Circle).

Sally Haynes said “It’s fantastic to be bringing such a bold, surprising and emotional serial to ITV from one of the U.K’s most eminent writers.”

Paula Milne is known for writing The Virgin Queen, The Politician’s Husband, White Heat, Small Island, The Nightwatch and Endgame.

Filming will begin in suburban London in January 2016.

What do you think? Does the premise of the HIM TV show interest you? Does it seem likely to catch your eye?